The smaller form factor Boltzen LED lights are targeted to shooters who want something portable and battery powered to be used on locations. They can be powered by 3 different options from Sony L Series, V-Mount, and AC wall power. With the lens attached you can adjust Spot and Flood, or remove the lens broader coverage, and even attach an optional Bowens Mount adapter to use off-the-shelf third party modifiers (i.e. Snoots, softboxes, beauty dishes). The 30w version is completely silent, but by adding a fan in the exact same form factor they were able to offer a 55w version. The 302/55w Lights come standard with barndoors, and if you want fast modifying they just dropped the new Magnetic Snap Kit.

The medium size Boltzen lights are currently available in a 60w (fan-less) version and a 100w version (with fan). These offer similar features to the smaller Boltzen lights as it's possible to power them off v-mount batteries (with optional adapter cable), include barn doors, can be modified to use Bowen mount accessories, and includes a fresnel lens with Spot and Flood adjustments.

The Large form factor Boltzens again offer similar features as the medium sized, and are available in 100w (fan-less) and 150w (with fan). At this size they start to include features like DMX control, and area also available in color temp adjustable models (bi-color).

I've been researching various Light Meters capable of measuring LED or other artificial lights. We're not talking about your basic exposure type light meter, we're talking about ones that can read Spectrum, CRI, LUX, etc. In hand, they are simple tools to operate, but yet everything on the market is still quite expensive. I poked around for suggestions, and for under $2,000 bucks many kept referring me to the UPRtek MK350. Here's a quick video showing the basic features of the UPRtek MK350 LED Spectrometer.

Specifically designed to measure LED or Artificial lights, and supposedly with more accuracy than the MK350. I love the convenience of being able to separate the lumisphere and having controls via Bluetooth. This saves so much time going back and forth from the measuring point back to the lights, making adjustments, and then walking back again to take another measurement.

At the Asensetek booth, they had mentioned they have been working with light measuring tools for over 7 years, and claim to be the most accurate LED meter in the world. Big words, but all I really care about at this point is being more accurate than the MK350 (or equal). The UPRtek software and features really seem outdated when compared to the controls you have with the Asensetek iOS Genius application. With an iOS device (iPad, iPhone, iPod) you can even share the data instantly via email or upload them. Besides all the basic measuring scopes, you can even store pictures of your set so you know exactly how your lighting was set up in case you ever have to reshoot.

Here's another video from their website showcasing the features of the Asensetek Lighting Passport

Being that the Asensetek is cheaper and offers a more full featured Spectrometer, this seems like a no brainer for me. The workflow with the Asensetek Lighting Passport with their Genius Software is just brilliant. I don't know how many of you have a need for such a tool, but you can find more information about the Asensetek Lighting Passport, you can contact them at their website (found here), or contact their distributor website http://alliedscientificpro.com/.

Or message them via their Facebook page (here).
If you like this article, make sure to tell them Cheesycam.com sent you over!

Not long ago, another article (here) showed the use of these lights wrapped around the outside of a simple can and used an umbrella to reflect the light. Here YouTube member Taylordfilms shares another experiment using these cheap flexible LED light strips wrapped on the inside of a reflector. [Thanks Steve].

Here's a couple of inspiring videos that do a great job showcasing low budget gear with great results. First up is another tutorial from Vimeo Member TLA Productions (showed us the use of the DIY Ring light for use in Video), but this time he's showing us the RedHead lighting kit. Yeah this is the same stuff i've been talking about for a while now, but I really haven't been able to show you guys how well they work. TLA Productions does a better job at this, and it's great to see other people using it.

Next is a great little documentary short from Vimeo member Hello Stranger. Shot using the cheap $24.00 dollar shoulder support, a 50mm F/1.4 and a Sigma 20mm F/1.8. For Audio, it was just a Zoom H1. Just goes to show you that it's not all about expensive gear behind the picture. Pretty cool video, and if you want to show support with a vote, it was shot for the Nikon Contest at http://www.festivalnikon.fr/videos/view/id/251

Caught this video by accident and had to share with others. Great little review on a Quad LED lantern by Coleman that can be used for lighting small areas or small products for video. Definitely something that could come in handy for some extra fill light on Macro shots. You can find the Coleman Quad LED lanterns here.